NCJ Number
65752
Journal
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF LAW PSYCHIATRY Volume: 2 Issue: 1 Dated: (1979) Pages: 87-97
Date Published
1979
Length
11 pages
Annotation
THE PSYCHOPATHOLOGY OF OFFENDERS TERMED DEVELOPMENTAL PSYCHOPATHS IS DESCRIBED, AND THE PROGRAM OF A DUTCH CLINIC THAT TREATS SUCH OFFENDERS IS DISCUSSED.
Abstract
THE PERSONALITY HANDICAPS OF DEVELOPMENTAL PSYCHOPATHS ARE ROOTED IN EARLY AFFECTIVE DEPRIVATION WHICH RESULTS IN ATTEMPTS AT TOTAL MANIPULATION OF THE ENVIRONMENT FOR NARCISSISTIC ENDS. BEHAVIORAL CONTROLS WHICH WOULD PERMIT AUTONOMY IN OTHERS AND THE POSTPONEMENT OR FOREGOING OF GRATIFICATION ARE EITHER ABSENT OR TEND TO PRODUCE INTOLERABLE FRUSTRATION IN A SHORT PERIOD. A POWERFUL DEFENCE SYSTEM GUARDS AGAINST ANY RELATIONSHIP OR ENVIRONMENTAL INFLUENCE THAT MIGHT EXPOSE VULNERABILITY AND IMPOTENCE. IF EFFECTIVE TREATMENT IS TO OCCUR, THESE DEFENCES MUST BE ATTACKED, WITHOUT THE POSSIBILITY OF ESCAPE. FOR THIS REASON, THE TREATMENT CLINIC MUST HAVE THE POTENTIAL OF A MAXIMUM SECURITY INSTITUTION. THE TENSION OF TREATMENT PRODUCES MUCH ACTING-OUT THAT MUST BE CONTAINED IF TREATMENT IS TO REACH FRUITION. THE AIM OF THE DUTCH CLINIC IS TO CREATE A CLIMATE WHICH FACILITATES THE PATIENTS' ACHIEVING A STABLE, POSITIVE SELF-ESTEEM. THIS RESULTS FROM INTENSIVE, CONSISTENT, ONE-TO-ONE INTERACTION WITH THE PATIENT, USING TEAMWORK. THE AIM OF TREATMENT IS TO PROVIDE AN ACCEPTING ENVIRONMENT THAT WILL EVENTUALLY PROVIDE ENOUGH SUPPORT FOR PATIENTS TO MOURN THEIR EARLY EXPERIENCES OF AFFECTIVE DEPRIVATION AND RECONSTRUCT BEHAVIOR UNDER THE GUIDANCE AND SUPPORT OF THERAPISTS WHO SERVE AS ATTACHMENT FIGURES. SUCH A TREATMENT PROCESS REQUIRES SKILLED THERAPISTS AWARE OF THE DYNAMICS OF COUNTERTRANSFERENCE, SO THAT THEY CAN AVOID DAMAGING INTERACTION WITH THE PATIENT. THE THERAPISTS EFFORTS ARE AIDED BY THE COUNSELING OF NONADMINISTRATIVE PSYCHOTHERAPIST SUPERVISORS. FOOTNOTES ARE PROVIDED. (RCB)